Nile Monitor Lizard With Broken Leg

The following story about a Nile monitor lizard was submitted by Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital in South Africa.

This Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) was sent to us by Craighall Veterinary Hospital. He presented with a broken right humerus.

For treatment, an external fixator was placed. The bones of monitor lizards are very hard, so Dr. Karin Lourens had quite the job placing the pins.

Thus far, the injury is healing well. The monitor will remain on pain medication for a while. He isn’t eating as well as we want, so he is being supplement fed by tube-feeding him with EmerAid IC Carnivore every third day.

We are optimistic that he will make a full recovery and that he can be released into a suitable environment soon.